August 22, 2008

Pakistani and Iranian trade bodies ink cooperation pact

It is reported that Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Iran's Chamber of Commerce Industry & Mines of Kermanshah have signed a MoU. Mr Shamin Ahmed Shamsi president of KCCI and Mr Keyvan Kashefi president of CCIMK have signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organisations. The two chambers have agreed to organize a joint meeting once a year in Pakistan or in Iran.

Following are salient features of the MoU:

1) Whereas, both the chambers agreed that in view of the need to build a dependable, pragmatic, and advantageous relationship between both the countries, they desire to initiate the establishment of friendly and cordial relationship between the two chambers through an increased co operation mode among the industrialists, businessmen and entrepreneurs of the two organizations.

2) Whereas both the chambers agreed that there should be an enhanced growth in interaction between them and that this memorandum should be mutually favorable to both.

3) Whereas both the chambers agreed that it is imperative that there should be maximum dissemination of information that could lead to further increase in bilateral trade between the industrialists, businessmen and entrepreneurs of the two chambers.

4) Whereas both the chambers agreed that coordinated efforts be made to promote JVs, initiate partnership, provide technical expertise, introduce licensing possibilities, and arrange visits of industrialists, businessmen and entrepreneurs of the two organizations, in co operation with boards of investment of both the countries and the respective diplomatic entities.

5) Whereas both the chambers agreed that this initiative is intended to be a trailblazer and they acknowledged the importance of mutual co-operation between the two chambers.

6) It is agreed that the 2 chambers will place a list of needs and requirements also with capabilities of their province and regions at the disposal of each other and the two mentioned chambers further convey in specialized manner for information of businessmen and producers.

7) Establishment of dispute settlement commission and arbitration for elimination of difficulties and differences of traders and businessmen of both the countries.

Both the chambers agreed that strategic and concrete proposals, suggestions, and recommendations that are consequential and significant in the acceleration of bilateral relations of the two countries need to be formulated to achieve as follows:
1. Image building to dispel negative perception
2. Safeguard investments and bilateral activities among members of both organizations
3. Attraction of investment and trade opportunities
4. Intensive efforts to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks and inconsistent government policies
5. Lobby for a mutually beneficial free trade agreement between both the countries
6. Organize and maintain a database to identify and promote products and services
7. Provide information on pool of human resources available in each organization
8. Influence the initiation of investment protection, taxation, and other treaties
9. Prepare and maintain information on market, cultural, religious, and national factors
10. Initiate measures to enhance mutual trust, patience, and transparency
Promote joint promotions, marketing and ventures.